Family News

Some have asked for an update on my medical status.  Once again I am so blessed to have others praying for me.  I cannot even begin to express my gratitude.  Blessed beyond words.

I've had two doctors appointments this week.  The first was with my hand doctor.  I had been healing very well and have had a lot of movement in my finger, but last week it started swelling and turning a strange color.  So...off to the doctor again.  Dr. Kim and his staff are wonderful and so friendly.  He said that he wondered if the swelling would come eventually because of the extent of messing with my joint that he had to do.  He said that we really need to avoid starting shots for the swelling if possible, so for the next couple of months he wants me to keep it wrapped and see if that will help.  He is still trying to get a hold of the Pathologist.  He would like to speak with him personally to double check the diagnosis of a Giant Cell Tumor.  Dr. Kim said he's just not so sure that's what it really was.  So, we're still waiting to hear from the Pathologist.  There are also a couple of cultures that we are waiting to come back that should take another 2 weeks.  That means more waiting.

I also had an appointment with my Infectious Disease Doctor this morning.  Everything is going along great with my TB meds.  I had more blood work this morning to make sure the antibiotics aren't affecting my liver.  We should have results of those in the morning.  Dr. Lutarewych  is still on the hunt for what is causing my pain.  Pray for the Great Physician to give him wisdom!  I'm thankful for a doctor willing to keep looking!  He said that we've looked at just about every structure in my body.  But, the tests I have had done look only at the structure and not the function.  So, we will keep looking.  He is referring me to see a Sleep Disorder Doctor and also a Neurologist.  Those are two specialist that I have never seen.  So, we will see!!  Dr. L was very compassionate this morning and I'm so thankful.

This week has been a little rougher for me.  The pressure is still there and the fatigue has set in, too.  There are so many things I would like to be able to do, but for now I am a little limited.  My family has been amazing!  Patrick and the kids help so much.  My parents and Mother in Law are ready to help at a seconds notice.  In fact Patrick called my Dad a couple of days ago and said that I was not feeling well, and asked if they would like to have the 3 little ones over for the evening.  Within 15 minutes my Dad was at our doorstep to get Silas, Callie and Micah.  They were just as excited as he was to have time together!

We have been staying busy with ministries in our home church.  They have been such a blessing to us and have loved on us through this whole process.  A sweet, Godly lady told me this week that as she was praying for me and begging God for a diagnosis, she was reminded to stop and just thank God for what He is doing in my life.  That was such a good reminder for me.  Sometimes that is hard to do. But, when I start thanking God for all He's done, I start realizing how His mighty hand is working in my life.  He truly does love me!  Things might not be going on my time table.  But, His timing is perfect.

Romans 8:28   "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

It's for my good and for His glory!

Learning to Write HIs Name

So proud of my Silas.  He has such a desire to read and to write.  We've started working with him on writing his name and he has done so well!  

He made me a card and signed his name.  I now have a special treasure.  I just smile everytime I see his name written with his sweet writing.  Love my boy!

Having fun with the College and Career

When we realized we would be here for bit and need to stay local because of our medical furlough, Patrick went into Pastor's office asked him what he could do in our church.  The thought of not being involved with ministry was out of the question.  Pastor asked us if we could work with our College and Career on Wednesday nights.  It has been so much fun!!

Some of them come straight from work so we try to have snacks that will satisfy their hunger.  We decided to make some homemade pretzels for one of our snacks. I remembered when we had tried them for one of our Family Fun Nights while in Canada, so it was fun to make them again.  It was a hit!  Patrick, Beth and Brenna started a few hours before church to make the dough so it could rise.

Then, I called for some help to form the shapes and bake them before services started.  That was a lot of fun!  I think they got pretty good at making the cool pretzel shapes!

What has been really neat is that some of these young people were in our youth group when Patrick was Youth Pastor here.  To be able to catch up with them and fellowship with them as adults has been such a blessing to us.  This group of young people have been so good to us and have made us feel so welcome to just jump right in and serve with them.  How blessed we are.

Don't these pretzels look so yummy!  They were!  These were salted and buttered and served with mustard and cheese.  We saved some to dip in Sugar and Cinnamon.  Oh la la, now I want to go make some more!

Our Heart Day

We had a sweet Valentines Day together this year.  Actually, we sort of messed up the date and planned our dinner for the night before.  oops.  It was still very sweet and romantic!

 We decided to do a nice dinner at home...just the two of us.  We set up a small table and Patrick made some of my favorites.

 I love French bread that you can dip in Olive oil and Italian seasonings. It was soooo good!  And then he made me Linguini with a clam sauce.  Oh my it was so delicious!    It was such a nice meal and romantic evening for me and my sweetie!

 For the next day Patrick bought each of his babies a special treat.  The boys received ice cream.  Perfect guy treat!  All the girls received flowers.  Callie has been so excited about her rose and babies breath.  When she asked us what kind of flower the white ones were, we told her babies breath.  Her and Silas have laughed and laughed over that name!

 When Callie was given her first rose, she asked, "Am I getting married?"  How cute.  I love how my husband wants my girls to be his Valentine.  How blessed we are!

A "Front Row Seat" for my Kiddos!

One thing I desire for my children is to have a "front row seat" in this christian life.  We love to sit close in church and listen to the preaching, but that's not exactly what I'm talking about.  I'm talking about putting my children in place where they will see the blessings and workings of God up close and personal.

As I was reading along in my Bible I came across a woman.  If you're anything like me, when I read about a woman in the Bible, my ears sort of perk up.  I want to know what she was like.  Did she love the Lord?  Did she serve Him?  What helped her succeed and what was the influence she had on others? What can I learn from her? Today I read about Mary, the mother of Mark.  This lady was pretty amazing! What courage she had! What influence she had on her children!!

In the midst of the church being persecuted, she opened her home for a prayer meeting!  They were praying for Peter who was in prison and sentenced to die.  By fulfilling this ministry of opening her home to others, she let her son have a "front row seat!"  Just think about what Mark was able to witness...

~He saw that prayer really does work! He had witnessed the miracle of Peter getting out of prison first hand.

~He was surrounded by others that had a love for the Lord, even in the midst of persecution.

~He met and knew very well other christians who worked hard and with courage for the cause of Christ.

~ He saw them bearing the burdens of others as their hearts cried out to God for Peter.

~He saw the awesomeness of our God.  He knew He was real!

All because his mother opened her home, and gave her son a "front row seat" of God's Blessings!

A few verses later we see that Mark had joined Paul and Barnabas on a journey where they "fulfilled their ministry"  He was used of God!  And I can't help but remember his Momma, and the influence she had on his life!

Finished!

We have finished the renovations on the house that our church is letting us live in.  It is beautiful!  And we are so blessed to have a home church that is sensitive to know the needs of its missionaries.  My kiddos (and definitely me!) are loving the HUGE jetted tub.  

 But, it's sort of funny.... Silas, Callie and Micah think it's just as fun to play in it without water.

 Crazy Kids!  I love their creativeness and always being ready to play!

Special Music...Special Day!

Here is a link to a post on our Family Blog Our Day a the Baptist Thrift Center!

We had a great day!